Opinion

Character of Lafayette's Old Town needs to be preserved

Posted:
10/17/2016 12:02:41 PM MDT

In 2001 citizens were concerned that old miner's homes in Old Town Lafayette were being scrapped off and replaced with large, out of character houses.

These concerns resulted in a series of city sponsored community meetings. It became evident that the current code was prohibiting small, but property enhancing changes such as the addition of a front porch. Also raised was the desire to build a small carriage houses in the back, not allowed at that time. Those meetings resulted in code changes allowing greater flexibility, and a new zone called Old Town Residential (OTR).

Drive around Old Town today and you will find many examples of thoughtful, beautiful changes to existing homes that add to the character and ambiance of Old Town, brought about by the code changes. Older homes have additions such as second stories, extra rooms, new porches and small accessory homes in the back of the property. These changes have been done with love and attention to detail in order to honor the area, and its history. Sadly that is not always the case.

The issue of addressing some control over the outsized homes was dropped by the planning department in 2003. That action has now opened the door for even larger scaled buildings in Old Town, than we were seeing in 2001. Drive down the 400 block of East Chester and see what the current code allows. It's shocking. Everyone living in Old Town who lives next to a small house, a vacant lot, or a corner lot should be concerned.

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We need to assess our current code and find some thoughtful, practical changes that will respect the character of Old Town, each neighborhood, and each neighbor, within it. The private property rights of one owner should not supersede the private property rights of the owners on either side of the property, or the owner in the back.

Property owners who have lived in the same house for decades are suddenly awoken to the sound of a house next door being demolished to make way for a huge dwelling, usually a duplex, with no notification or input. Suddenly their house and property are cast into darkness, removing any possibility for installation of solar equipment, or enjoyment of sunlight. Suddenly their privacy is gone and windows look down into their bathroom, through their skylights, and right into their backyard. The patio they have enjoyed for years is suddenly unusable due to excessive heat from the ac unit next door.

Notification is required when a property is to be subdivided, but that's all. An Old Town property owner can say they are ok with a lot on their block being split into two, but they won't know what will be built until construction actually begins. They must ask the builders, or the Planning Department, because there is no notification requirement, and their input is not solicited. Code changes are needed in order to bring some balance to this situation.

Another issue is the lack of affordability, which the council, and many citizens, have said is needed. We are loosing affordable housing, not gaining. A developer is removing affordable rentals in the mobile home park on Baseline and Burlington to build a more expensive rental apartment complex, totally lacking in character. It looks more like an office building and does not fit with Old Town.

The Lafayette Preservation Board (HPB) is paying attention. They have ideas on what can be done, and want to hear from residents at public meetings, soon.

One of the many things I love about living in Old Town is that there are no covenants telling me what I can do to my home, and property. I, like many who live here, am cautious about considering code changes. However, if we work together surely we should we able to find a way to preserve what we cherish, before it's too late. A monster dwelling unit could be looming over your house, or mine, in the near future.

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